Britain faced a mathematical challenge when decimalisation ousted the old shillings and pence in 1971, and then, to reinforce this continental shift, the country joined the European Community (confirmed by the Yes vote in the referendum of 1975). After many economic woes, the three-day week and 25 per cent inflation, the country came together to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. Pageantry and street parties captured the spirit of the occasion.

As the pop music scene matured, so its audience widened to a younger age group - the teeny boppers - who could choose from the heart throbs of the Osmonds, David Cassidy and Michael Jackson. In 1974, Rollermania reached its peak with the tartan invasion of the Bay City Rollers; in the same year, Abba won Eurovision with Waterloo. Glam rock vied with heavy metal sounds, while the alternative noise came from the anarchy of Punk, led by the Sex Pistols. Also, in the late '70s, dance floors everywhere pulsated with discomania, an energy created by the success of Saturday Night Fever.